Almost finished....but was a joy in the process so far....loved the looseness....for me a switch....a story below of this painting.....
This is what I found to be like Chuck, Grandpa, running ......
Catching butterflies, running and happy.....
New and never used colors for me....and whimsy....even the trees praise His name....
Finding little people in the shadows...and developing what was seen...I like this stage of it with the gray people....below.
Beginning of a new technique from a video on the Gut Art Group classes.....
Something tried....a little bright...maybe wishing for spring or summer...
Happy New Year Peyton....
A big paper doll for Peyton....an experiment with old dress patterns...collage....
It has been quiet this week and cold out..... so I've been working inside, cleaning away Christmas and working at playing with new ideas of fun with my painting. It is also a sad week for us with the loss of two dear people we loved.... a long time friend Jim Record and Chuck Rollen our son in law's father. Jim stood up in our wedding in 1966 and Dick kept in close contact with him over the years....men who go to war together have an incredible bond and devotion to one another. Chuck was a wonderful, fun, jovial, big smile, laid back, an "in love with his bride of many years" man and an awesome father to two boys. I admired him also because he put his bride before everything, even his boys....... My daughter is married to one of them and I'm proud to say they have treated and loved Kellie as if she was the daughter they never had. He was tremendously loved and cherished by his Grand Children who called him Grandpa. He loved the Lord and so went "Home" on Saturday to live forever in the presence of the Most High! I did a painting today that was totally unplanned except wanted to try a scene of sorts.....and after applying the paint and forming small figures from the shadows in the grey parts that seemed to appear there.....and seeing all the little windows in the houses....I was reminded of John 14:2 that says..."In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." And as I kept shadowing in the little shapes that were there into figures there was one in particular coming (running!) from behind the house that made me think of Chuck! And I thought.... He is almost there, as soon as he rounds the corner from the house he will be in the presence of others who dwell in the place of the Most High! A place Jesus promised and went to prepare for us...FOREVER! I continued to work it out and added the little stream for some blue to contrast with the orange. Then later I found another scripture from Psalm 46:4 that says..."There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High." When I finally stopped to assess the painting....I just stared at it and then broke down and cried..... realizing how much the Lord cares for us! I will never forget the experience and amazement of that painting today..... it is not finished but it ministered to me and I had a special joy for Chuck as he and his family have decided to celebrate his life today at his memorial in Florida and to celebrate his "COMING HOME!" We are promised no less through God's Son Jesus! ..... the very demonstration of God's love for us .... Chuck's love for Jesus was an inheritance given to his grandchildren while he lived here with us..... what more can we leave our children and grandchildren or any children than the love of Christ demonstrated for their Eternity! Heartfelt Blessings to you for 2010..... sherry
Today was a sad day in many ways. The funeral of my Mother's little sister, in her eighties, went home to be with the Lord. That is a good thing .... that you go home to the Lord. I was overwhelmed with tears in church last night, as I thought of how she was the last of "that generation" in our family, and how it made me miss my Mother. She died in 2001, but it is still hard because she was so very special to us all. I have a brother named after my Aunt Eddie ... his name is Edward, but it was with her in mind when they called him "Eddie". He is still living, but I miss him because he has separated himself from me ..... for many reasons I can think of, but not sure "exactly" why. We really never got along after we were adults. I didn't go to the funeral, a short trip, today, ... too vulnerable .... it was just too hard this time around ... it is too painful. Selfish, I know, ... but I just chose to hide away. I seem okay as long as I stay away and keep busy with other things. Well, I stayed away today and sat in the studio to try to do art .... I had an overwhelming sadness. I had started this piece last week but it didn't seem to go anywhere, just didn't come together and had no desire to finish it ...... until I looked at a page from scripture still laying on my desk from doing the beatitudes .... and there it was .... it just popped out at me!!! Matthew 5:23,24. Click on it to read it.... It is in the old scripture language on the art, but it hit home for sure and it was sooo convicting considering my brother. I DO love him and I DO forgive him and hope he WILL forgive me for what it is that has him so angry at me. ANYWAY, loss is hard, either in death or in life....both have loss. This art piece was easier for me to do with him in mind and what the Lord might be doing through it .... either for him in time to come or for me today. I added the hearts .... for the desire of a loving relationship as a brother and sister, which I withheld from him for years in anger ..... very hurtful to a younger brother. The little bird is flying with a heart in his beak to hopefully drop it in the right place ... for healing ..... before it is too late. I will miss Aunt Eddie and do I love you, Eddie, my little brother. Blessings.....
